jazz oxfords
a friend of mine recently told me that the next hot shoe was going to be a laceup... and I knew he was right.
A friend of mine, tuned in carefully to the looming storm that is the next slim pants trend, recently told me that he and I would both hate the next shoe trend because it was going to be a laceup. And I asked, “is it jazz oxfords?” and yeah, that’s what it’s gonna be. I don’t really make trend predictions, but this one is already in progress and it’s pretty clear, that’s the direction we’re moving in.
I mean, I don’t hate jazz oxfords. Repetto’s are kinda classic. Crown Northampton does a good pair. But I love my loafers. You can pry them from my cold dead hands.
It’s an extension of the more general “flat shoe” moment, but the real horror is that he predicts it will come in alongside slim midrise pants and a whole silhouette that tapers hard from a strong shoulder straight through a dainty ankle and shoe. I am not here for that. I would wear these shoes with a full cut trouser, or… even a pair of jeans. yeah.
Something about the way a pair of jazz oxfords is constructed and designed just makes them distinctly casual compared to normal oxfords. It’s a wholecut, but in a softer leather, without that structure, without that dress shoe welt. it’s something like Crown’s wholecut sneaker, but… definitely better than the wholecut sneaker, I am not a wholecut sneaker guy.
I’m not sure where else to get Jazz oxfords tbh. If you know other places to get a pair, leave a comment, I’m sure somebody will appreciate it.
Anyway, you obviously don’t need to engage with the trend, there will be other footwear trends, and classic shoes will still be classics. But I also don’t treat trends as poison. Treat it as an idea, as something to consider. Take the opportunity to look at these now, and ask how you feel about them. Do you think they would be a fun new style to play with? Do you have an idea of how you might style them?
Hell, maybe you already wear these and you’re excited to see them go a little mainstream.
Or you hate the idea and you think trends are coming to hurt your loved ones and steal your job. They’re not, but it’s fine, you don’t have to engage with them, they’re just options. Just ideas.
